The transport of dangerous goods is regulated through various national and international systems such as the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, ICAO Technical Instructions, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the IMO’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. These frameworks govern the handling, packaging, labeling, and movement of dangerous goods.

Dangerous goods are classified into nine categories, each representing a different type of hazard:

1. Explosives  
2. Gases  
3. Flammable Liquids  
4. Flammable Solids / Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion / Substances Which Emit Flammable Gas When in Contact with Water  
5. Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides  
6. Toxic and Infectious Substances  
7. Radioactive Materials  
8. Corrosive Substances  
9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods  

Because of the complexity of global regulations and classifications, compliance in the dangerous goods sector can be challenging. As a professional logistics provider specializing in dangerous goods, DGI delivers customized solutions across all nine categories, including packaging, labeling, freight forwarding, and training services.

Below is an overview of the nine categories:

Class 1 – Explosives  
Explosives are materials or articles capable of rapid combustion or explosion due to chemical reactions.  
Reasons for regulation: Explosives can cause catastrophic damage through blast pressure, heat, and projection hazards.  

Class 2 – Gases  
Gases include compressed, liquefied, dissolved, refrigerated liquefied gases, aerosols, and gas-containing devices.  
Reasons for regulation: Hazards include flammability, asphyxiation, oxidation, toxicity, and corrosivity.  

Class 3 – Flammable Liquids  
Flammable liquids emit flammable vapors at relatively low temperatures.  
Reasons for regulation: These materials may ignite easily and spread fire rapidly.  

Class 4 – Flammable Solids; Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances Which Emit Flammable Gas When Wet  
Reasons for regulation: These substances may ignite through friction, heat spontaneously, or produce flammable gas upon contact with water.  

Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides  
Reasons for regulation: Oxidizers may intensify fires; organic peroxides may decompose violently, emit heat, or explode.  

Class 6 – Toxic and Infectious Substances  
Reasons for regulation: These substances may cause severe harm or disease to humans and animals.  

Class 7 – Radioactive Materials  
Reasons for regulation: Radioactive decay emits ionizing radiation, posing serious health risks.  

Class 8 – Corrosive Substances  
Reasons for regulation: Corrosives can destroy living tissue and damage cargo or transport structures.  

Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods  
This category includes substances not covered elsewhere but still posing hazards—such as environmentally hazardous substances, magnetized materials, and high‑temperature substances.